Russia "recognizes" passports of the "DPR/LPR" on the sly, but is not talking about real recognition of the "republics" - media

The de facto recognition of the fake "DPR/LPR" passports by Russia is the result of secret agreements of the leaders of the "republics" with the official Kremlin. This was found out in course of the investigation of the Russian RBK media.

Reporters found that with passports of legally non-existent "DPR/LPR" you can enter the territory of the Russian Federation, use the services of a railway transportation, some airlines, as well as to stay in Russian hotels. It is explained by presence of an informal agreement between the Russian authorities and representatives of the "DPR" and "LPR” to "turn a blind eye to these passports, so that people can move around Russia".

Reporters found that passengers with the “DPR” passports can use services of several airlines, but they are registered are as citizens of Ukraine.

The situation is similar with car license plates of the "republics" - without any legal grounds Russian border guards let in cars with Donetsk and Luhansk "republican" registration on the territory of the Federation.

Experts point out that the owners of the fake passports can not legally cross the Russian border. According to the adviser on migration issues in the human rights committee "Civil Assistance" Maryna Leksina, to legitimize this, you need to adopt a regulation of the government, that is actually to recognize the self-proclaimed republics.

However, according to a source in the State Duma, there are no plans for further formalization of relations with the "DPR" and "LPR". "If they decided to recognize passports of the republic, it was a tacit agreement. No official decision has been taken", - the source said.

The head of the public council at the interregional investigation department of transport of the Investigative Committee of Russia Sergei Gruzd draws attention to the security risks. According to him, the official databases have no information about the passport holders of the "DPR" and "LPR". It could theoretically help them to avoid arrest under the investigation, the expert believes.

As previously reported, the so-called "DPR passports" are legally worthless. Russia, which has not recognized the existence of the "republics", has no right to recognize these "passports". However, political analysts have reported that the Kremlin seeks to once again violate all international norms and recognize the documents of the fake "DPR" and "LPR".